Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-13-2007 regular agenda — reading text

support and agreed to waive the related development fees including the CRA Site Plan Review fees, water tap fee, sewer tap fee, and building permit fee for the redevelopment of 7, 11, and 13 Bobolink Street into a transition Village and Intermediate Housing Project. Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. MAINSTREET PRESENTATION Presentation by MainStreet President Jim Dowling to provide an annual update of MainStreet's activities. Jim Dowling, MainStreet President, advised that the MainStreet organization is coming to its conclusion after many years of serving the City, especially with the holiday lights and the Okaloosa on Ice holiday event that took place at Fort Walton Landing the past three years. Mr. Dowling explained it was difficult for MainStreet to secure permanent financial support for the services of an executive director, which is an absolute for the daily operations of the organization. Mr. Dowling continued that MainStreet has had a loss of members to its executive board, but due to contractual obligations with Okaloosa on Ice, it has remained a viable organization. He explained that MainStreet's existence as a 501 C Group will remain, and that the organization would like any remaining funds be put into a project that would go into the assets of the City. Some projects suggested included funding for the aquarium at the Fort Walton Library; street artwork at the Landing Park; or possibly a clock tower at the Landing. Mr. Dowling explained these projects would be a long- term asset that would be a namesake for the MainStreet effort. However, as far as an on- going business, Mr. Dowling informed MainStreet will cease to exist in the City; they have closed their office at the Gulfview Hotel and are making arrangements to notify the State of their intent. He also reported that with the disbursement of any remaining funds, the MainStreet Board will come back to Council with suggestions on how to use the funds, and receive authorization to do so to close out the funds. Mr. Dowling stated that MainStreet could be rechartered and reopened in the future. Council questioned the future of the Okaloosa on Ice event. Mr. Dowling reported several entities have expressed an interest, but there is nothing concrete at this time. He further advised that if someone else took over the event, it could be named something other than Okaloosa on Ice. Mr. Dowling further noted that the holiday lights and the large Christmas tree used at the event J have been donated to the City for future use. Council noted the success of the MainStreet organization in the past, and thanked everyone involved for their efforts. 200 02- 27- 07 PROPOSALS FOR SALE OF PROPERTY AT 100 HILL AVENUE Consideration of a request to authorize the City Manager to solicit proposals and negotiate the sale of the 1. 59 acres located at 100 Hill Avenue NW in the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park. Upon conclusion of the negotiation, the City Manager will forward the negotiated contract to Council for approval. The City Manager explained that the City received a request from Federal Express to purchase a portion of this property to expand their facilities, and advised she and the City Attorney will negotiate a contract and return it to Council for their consideration. Council received clarification that before this property is declared a brownfield, a resolution needs to be done and it would need to go before Council. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Mr~ Tucker moved to authorize the City Manager to solicit proposals and negotiate the sale of the 1. 59 acres located at 100 Hill Avenue NW in the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park, and upon conclusion of the negotiation, the City Manager will forward the negotiated contract to Council for approval. Mr. Campbell seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich in favor. TRANSIENT DOCKING FACILITY- FORT WALTON LANDING Consideration of a request from The Waterfronts Florida Partnership Committee (WFPC) to approve the concept of a transient docking facility at Fort Walton Landing and direct the WFPC to submit the above studies to DCA for funding. Karen Gercak, 214 Miracle Strip Parkway and Chairman of the WFPC, advised that one of the projects listed as a top priority from the Waterfronts Vision Plan is a transient docking facility at the Fort Walton Landing, and the Committee has chosen to pursue this project. Mrs. Gercak explained the WFPC believes a facility such as this would bring commerce to local businesses and would showcase the City as a world- class waterfront community, and make Fort Walton Beach a place tourists will want to visit either by land or water. Mrs. Gercak advised that, on behalf of the WFPC, she is asking for Council' s approval to proceed with the basic concept of a transient docking facility at the Fort Walton Landing. She stressed that this is a conceptual, not specific mode, and that if approval is received, the Committee can petition the DCA for the funding necessary for the initial studies required to determine the feasibility of the project. . Discussion included the fact the City has voted at least twice on having a marina at the Landing and it has been voted down both times. Also discussed was the differences between a mooring ~ field and a docking facility, and that the City has a submerged land lease at the Landing which is . why the Committee has focused on having a transient dock located there rather than at Uza Jackson Park. The Mayor asked for public input. There was none. Dr. Pullen moved to approve the concept of the transient docking facility at Fort Walton Landing and direct the WFPC to submit the studies to DCA for funding. Mr. Tucker seconded motion.  20~ 02- 27- 07 TRANSIENT DOCKING FACILITY ( CONT) A lengthy discussion was held regarding the pros and cons of such a facility. Favorable comments included the fact that the City should take advantage of its position as a waterfront and that the facility would provide a strong economic base for downtown. community, Comments against the facility included that it would mar the beauty and the view of the Landing, that the that is pier presently there is used by locals as a fishing dock, and that there are commercial docks nearby where transients can dock. J The CDS Director advised that any study done project at the Landing. by DCA would be site- specific to justify the The Mayor called for a vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, and Pullen in favor and Holmes, Hartwell, and Minich opposed. CANVASSING BOARD- MARCH 13. 2007 Consideration of appointments of two representatives to serve on the Canvassing Board. The City Clerk advised that in the past, the City Clerk and a councilmember not on the ballot have been appointed to serve on the Canvassing Board. Mr. Tucker nominated Councilman Hartwell. Mr. Hartwell advised he would be out of town on business and declined the nomination. Dr. Pullen nominated Councilman Tucker and City Clerk Helen Spencer to serve on the Canvassing Board for the March 13, 2007 City Election. The Mayor called for the vote on the nomination of Councilman Tucker and City Clerk Helen Spencer to the Canvassing Board for the March 13, 2007 City election and it carried in unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich favor. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Holmes advised he had several requests from members of the Ferry Park neighborhood to have some sort of memorial for Charlie Veal, former City worker and long- time walker of Ferry Park. The City Manager suggested a memorial tree with a plaque as a fitting tribute. Consensus of Council was to move forward with the memorial tree for Mr. Veal. Mr. Holmes discussed the information received regarding the TPO' s actions on traffic solutions offered for downtown Fort Walton Beach. Mr. Holmes suggested an ad- hoc committee be formed of citizens that would explore all downtown traffic issues. The City Manager suggested a resolution be created establishing a committee and its goals and objectives, and to present the resolution at the March Council workshop. Mr. Patterson stated he hopes that another entity will take over the Okaloosa on Ice since MainStreet is closing. Mr. Campbell thanked the volunteers that make up the City' s board and committees for their hard work they give to the City. Mr. Tucker also discussed the boards and committees and stressed the importance of these committees to keep the City running in a functional manner. Mr. Tucker also encouraged citizens to vote on March 13. 202 02- 27- 07 MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CO NT) Dr. Pullen reminded Council that they have taken an oath of office to support and enforce the laws and ordinances of the State of Florida, and that the City Manager is supposed to actively enforce the ordinances of the City. Dr. Pullen stated his feeling that the City Manger is not enforcing the ordinances of the City because of all the political signs that are placed illegally throughout the City. Mr. Hartwell encouraged voters to be informed on the candidates and issues they vote for on March 13. Mr. Minich attended the Swearing- In ceremony on February 26 of the first four officers hired under the Pre- Service Hiring Program which has enabled the police department to recover from severe understaffing. The Mayor announced the Supervisors Workshop held at the Police Department for the police force, and suggested if a tape is available it would be worthy of having on FWB-TV; the City- sponsored Fast Track for elementary children held on February 19 at Choctaw High School; and the Sunday in the Park held on February 18. The Mayor also advised the City is working on a response to Rep. Sansom and Senator Gates regarding the property/ sales tax initiatives going to the legislature, and the financial impact to the City if it goes through. He also announced the workshop of the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority from 4- 7 pm on March 1 at the Ramada Inn to discuss their Master Plan for traffic alternatives. Finally, the Mayor congratulated Mr. Patterson on his appointment as President of the Okaloosa Gas District and President of the NW Florida Fair Association. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS The City Manager announced the Page Turners Book Club the first Friday of each month at the Fort Walton Library; the Fine Arts Show at the Creativ~ Senior Center on March 10 from 2 to 4 pm; and reminded everyone